uraberg

Got the machine gun issue yesterday, took out fuse #9, tried to open the roof, and only the passenger side lifted, and moved back a little, and now it is stuck.

Anyone have any leads on where to start with a misaligned roof?

uraberg

So that's what that weird looking allen key is for...

Anywho, it is closed enough to the point where I think no rain will get in, but the problem remains. Actually, it sorta feels like the roof only operates on the passenger's side, which is why it is pulling out of aligment to begin with.

I guess I still need advice here...

I've seen the pano motor replacement thread, but I believe my problem is a bit bigger than that.

Ls1toAMG

That sucks. Try to google pano roof reset. Don't think that's ur issue but the it's worth a shot. The gears/ motor is really pricey

mattconrad

I am having the same exact issue right now. What allen key are you referring to?

Mackhack

Probably cracked track. If that is confirmed, I'd sell the car. MB discontinued offering pano roof bc of the track issue. To get it repairs they have to cut off the roof. At least $5000 to get it fixed.

Rocman8

Huh? Never seen a cable crack. Usually it's excessive play in the motor gear causing it to skip on the cable which makes the "machine gun" sound.
Can you specify discontinued pano roof? Last I checked there were multiple components available for the w211 pano roof and mb still offers pano on a lot of models.

Mackhack

If it's just a cable then disregard my post. If the tracks are cracked be prepared for a big bill. Nope, MB discontinued pano roof on W211s. I believe with the facelifted model years they stopped it.

Rocman8

The pano roof was available all through the w211 line to model year2009

Dryfly

I just went through this process last weekend. The gear on the motor that operates the sliding roof mechanism sits between two worm gears, one to actuate each side. Play in the motor/gear box, mount and gear wear can certainly account for it only engaging only one of the worm gears. Hence, only one side of the sliding roof moves. I picked up the entire motor assembly with pristine gears (used) for $125 on eBay. Popped it in Saturday and it works like a charm. If you've got the machine gun syndrome, I expect this is the issue and is a relatively affordable and straightforward DIY repair.

A little hint if you take on this task. Many advocate pulling the headliner down from the front at a fairly significant angle to access the third screw affixing the motor in place. It is much easier and less stressful on the headliner to release it from the front edge of the pano roof and access the third screw from the back, rather than the front. I used a 1/4" drive ratchet, socket, and torx bit. Nothin' to it.

Good luck.

Dryfly

Oh, and don't be discouraged if the Allen wrench method doesn't close it tightly. The Allen wrench merely turns the very same gear that is likely worn in the first place. So, it will jump teeth on the worm gear whether powered by the electric motor or man power. Once you have the motor out, you can square up the sliding glass without resistance from the engagement of the worm gears and what is left of the drive gear.

uraberg

Thanks dryfly. Encouraging post.

I'm certainly not selling the car because my roof is a little out of whack. I've not run into anything yet that can't be fixed.

Dryfly

Worst case scenario you can slap in one of these.

Mackhack

Are we really talking about Pano-Roof or Sun/Moonroof?

Rocman8

Pano roof was offered all the way through 2009.

mattconrad

Are there any tutorials out there on this site that shows a step by step process of how to do this?

mattconrad

Anyone?

Dryfly

https://mbworld.org/forums/w211-amg/...rocharged.html

This is from the DIY thread stickied at the top of the w211 forum. It's what I referenced in replacing the motor for my pano roof. Good luck.

baldmike73

i had the same thing happen on my old E55 - there are 2 motors in there and a cables that run the tilt function and slide function. The plastic gear on the motor gets stripped and the cables get shredded.

I had to replace the one motor and 4 cables - motor actually comes off a w202 - but once you take the headliner down you are able to get the free up the cables and remove all that is up there. Once all put back together you do need to have a STAR tool to synchronize movement.

Best thing to do is to find a tech who can do the work on the side for a fraction of the dealer cost. Back then the dealer was charging upwards of $5K and i think i paid 2800-3000 including parts/labor.

Any tech who has to do the job will tell you it's a ***** of a job to do -

Good luck - the DIY is not for the faint of heart.

Mackhack

1.) thanks for confirming what I have said before: it is way over $5k but none believed me.

2.) you don't need to use Star Diagnosis. Just normalize it by using the button. I explained it a few times already on this forum: tilt it, close it and keep holding down the button for 2-3 seconds. Now the sun roof is normalized. You have to do this after disconnecting the battery too as well as the steering wheel and all windows.

Dryfly

I had to remove/replace fuse #9 in the fuse block in the driver's side compartment of the trunk before mine would synchronize. I have an '07 E63 AMG. The 2007 E-Class operator's manual has instructions in this regard on page 248.

Mackhack

Nicely done. Still doesn't need SD. None of these things require it. Otherwise we would stand on their property for every little thing asking for a diagnosis